We have already raised the topic before in our blog: the field where the application of norms goes the furthest from regulations for the shipment of dangerous goods by road ADR, by railroad RID, by inland waterway ADN, by sea IMDG, by air ICAO-TI/IATA is actually the labels, marks, and panels one.
Incorrect colors, inaccurate or non-existing designs, imprecise or misused measures, and non-compliant or not enough performing materials are some of the most common mistakes improvised producers may make.
As so to say: you can see labels of all sorts, colors, and designs!
The latest case we have noticed is about the class 9 placard for lithium batteries which does not exist!
In this case, it was not the fantasy of some inexpert or improvised producers that provoked this mistake; one of the maximum experts in this area indicated the "wrong way," better called "wrong route."
On one of the IMDG manual version's covers, there was a picture of a 9A placard (surely a graphic and not a technical mistake).
It is clear evidence of how graphic design, print, materials quality, and deep knowledge of regulations are interdependent. For this reason, improvised producers may create problems, delays, and stops of goods of your shipments.
Lithium batteries have always been a part of Class 9. Unless exempted, the Class 9 label had to be used on packages, while the placard on transport units.
The latest regulations introduced a specific label to signal lithium batteries (with a few exceptions). The design starts from the Class 9 label one, with an additional battery symbol. The final result is called the “9A label.”
Similar, but not identical, they are suitable for different contexts.
Shipping dangerous goods compliantly is not a choice, but a duty, given by detailed and extensive rules.
One must comply with these rules without any exception unless otherwise provided.
Serpac is always up to date with all the norms updates and invests a relevant part of working time and human resources in studying and researching, along with checking production processes to guarantee compliance with the required design, dimension, and performance for its products.
SHIP SAFE!